This is a wonderfully powerful series that turns the much-loved princess concept of young girls into one of agency, adventure and comraderie. This latest instalment sees the sassy Princess in Black and her friends the Princess in Blankets and the Goat Avenger delighted to meet a mermaid princess named Princess Posy. When Princess Posy finds out her new friends are heroes she asks for their help to protect the sea goats in her kingdom from being eaten by the hungry Kraken. It comes to light that Princess Posy is so busy following her princess rule of being nice to everyone that she isn't using her voice to speak up and make positive changes in her kingdom. With the support of the Princess in Black and her friends, Princess Posy learns that she already has the skills to manage her kingdom.
Full-colour illustrations and short chunks of text make these books ideal for newly independent readers. They are quirky, humorous and full of action. Most importantly, they contain incredibly positive female role-models but still cater to the many princess and mermaid lovers in this age group. It's a modern tale with a fairytale feel that will please and delight both adults and children.
Themes Mermaids, Heroes, Speaking Up, Princesses.
Nicole Nelson
Grandad's Camper by Harry Woodgate
Andersen Press, 2022. ISBN: 9781783449927.
There's nothing she loves more than to visit her Grandad, snuggle up on the sofa and listen as he tells all her about the amazing places he and Gramps would explore in their camper. But these days, Grandad's camper van is hidden away in the garage - now Gramps isn't around any more, the adventures they shared travelling in it just wouldn't be the same. As she listens to his wonderful stories, Grandad's granddaughter has an idea to cheer him up...
This is a delightful story of a little girl's relationship with her grandfather, a bond that those of us who have been fortunate to experience it never forget. But this story has a twist because there is no grandma - rather there is Gramps, her grandfather's much loved partner. And while it is a reminder that there are many definitions and designs of "family" - the rainbow flag on the camper on the cover is an indicator- it is the little girl's complete acceptance of the situation that is heart-warming because it shows we have come a long way, albeit there is still a way to go. So while gender diversity is not the obvious in-your-face focus of the story, it is the memories that are so inextricably bound together by Grandad's and Gramps' relationship that are at its heart.
Family diversity is so widespread and little ones need to see theirs in stories, so this is another opportunity to share and celebrate.
Barbara Braxton
The very last list of Vivian Walker by Megan Albany
Metastasised melanoma is a terminal diagnosis for Vivian Walker and she decides to cross off a number of things on her ‘to do' list in the few months she has left to live. She knows she should be making the most of her last days with her family, including playing handball with eight year old son Ethan and spending time with husband Clint but there is so much unfinished business that lists are Vivian’s way of coping. At the top of her list is 'Clean the fridge'. Clint too has made a list for Viv, 'Basically all the things I don’t have time for because I am too busy with my everyday list. His utopian version will have to wait.' p.xii. Ethan too has made a list and the chapters alternate between the items on each of their lists. Along the way we meet Marsha, Viv’s larger than life best friend who can always put a wickedly positive spin on everything and Sal, her favourite little ray of sunshine friend who has an enthusiasm for life. 'She only ever sells things she truly believes in and Sal, god love her, believes in everything'. p.88. As they negotiate their way towards the inevitable we learn more about Viv’s unruly family and Clint’s snooty mother Isabelle as well as the way these very different personalities negotiate their relationship. Viv has to try and be assertive and not aggressive while Clint has learnt to follow instructions, most of the time. The story doesn’t shy away from the implications of the diagnosis, the loss of ability to do things, the need for stronger drugs for the pain and help with everyday tasks but it does so with sensitivity and gentle humour. Viv is surrounded by people who care about her and ultimately we feel the tragedy of their situation.
Themes Dying, Family, Cancer.
Sue Speck
The secret lives of unicorns by Dr Temisa Seraphini and Sophie Robin
Flying Eye, 2021. ISBN: 9781911171959.
Every parent, or grandparent, of a young girl up to about 9 will be aware of the fascination that unicorns continue to hold, their mystique never waning. Thus this is the perfect book for those who want to find out more about who and what they really are, where they live and the various species of them. For not all unicorns are the same with short hair and rainbow manes.
This expose by the equally mysterious Dr Temisa Seraphina (who may or may not be the expert behind The Secret Lives of Dragons and The Secret Lives of Mermaids) reveals everything about this magical creature from its origins and evolution to the truth about the myths and tall tales. It shows how they are so rarely seen these days because the world is no longer what it used to be, and encourages today's believers to think about the present day environment and what they might be able to do to improve it so unicorns can once again roam as freely as they used to.
As with the others in the series, taking a fantasy subject and treating in a factual way, just as any non fiction text on any other species, is an intriguing way of not only feeding the child's thirst for knowledge about the particular creature but also to the concept of non fiction itself, bridging the gap between imagination and information in an absorbing way.
About 20 years ago, a collection of books known as the Ology series which focused on a range of fantasy and not-so creatures in a similar way, began appearing, offering the newly independent readers of the time an insight into the lives and times of creatures like dragons, wizards, ghosts and others and it was the lucky looker who found one on the shelves. I predict this new series (and hopefully there are more) will be just as popular when this new generation is introduced to it, and what better way to transition from fiction to non fiction, both as reader and teacher.
The 10th in the Funny Kid series, Prank Ninjas is another hilarious look inside the kid-centric world of Max Walburt. The writing is punchy and irreverent. Black and white cartoon-style illustrations are scattered throughout and while long, the story is fast-paced and easy reading.
It's the school holidays and Max is determined to get revenge on his friends, including number one enemy: Abby Purcell. 'She ruins everything and I'm fairly sure, when you say her name out loud, flowers curl up and die'. Unfortunately for Max, most of his pranks against Abby backfire and the pranks against him are becoming increasingly elaborate. Is this all Abby's doing or is there someone else involved?
The pranks are mostly harmless and inspired: grabbing a hand through the bottom of a popcorn box in the cinema and fake spiders but there is also a war of sorts in a shop that involves pulling cans, balls and other items off shelves and rolling them down the aisles. For the most part the adults are bit players in the story: authority figures who lack control over the wild, free-running children. The humour is suble and witty with lashings of slapstick and toilet humour thrown in for good measure. This is a wildly entertaining read with a surprise twist at the end. Readers will love how powerless the adults in the story are.
Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid will adore this series, which is also a perfect next step with longer text for lovers of the Treehouse or other heavily-illustrated series.
Themes Humorous stories.
Nicole Nelson
Rabunzel : fairy tales for the fearless by Gareth P. Jones. Illus. by Loretta Schauer
Rabunzel has a teeny tufty tail, a twitchy nose and two wide brown eyes. She also has VERY long ears - so long that her mother worries they will make her easy bait for the hungry creatures of the forest.
The answer? Rabunzel must be kept safe in towering hutch, high in the sky. Here Rabunzel, bored to bits, waits grumpily for her mother's daily visit with carrots and fresh lettuce, letting down her ears so she can climb up the tower.
But one day, it isn't her mother who climbs up Rabunzel's very long ears.
Usually I'm wary of these fractured versions of fairytales because they can be a bit silly, but this new series is subtitled Fairy Tales for the Fearless and it has a feminist twist which sits with Neil Gaiman's message perfectly: 'You don't need princes to save you. I don't have a lot of patience for stories in which women are rescued by men.'
With its rhyming text and lovely pictures, it is an entertaining story in itself and Rabunzel's solution for dealing with the hungry animals and her rejection of her 'saviour' Flash Harry Hare offer lots of discussion points that can initiate some critical thinking of other stories that our girls, particularly, are dished up as essential reading - still! It can also pose some provocative questions to challenge the thinking of some of our boys.
This video clip is the perfect accompaniment and summary.
And if you're looking for more in this vein, this is from A Mighty Girl... The Ultimate Guide to the Independent Princess . 'These princesses are smart, daring, and aren't waiting around to be rescued - more than likely, they'll be doing the rescuing themselves! For a diverse selection of more empowering fairy tales, visit our Fairy Tale & Folklore Collection."
Some dinosaurs are small with tiny teeth for munching leaves, and some dinosaurs are BIG with pointy teeth for munching OTHER dinosaurs! Some dinosaurs need to RUN! But some dinosaurs have a secret weapon...
In pure pantomime spirit, children will want to cry out, 'He's behind you!' and they will hold their breath until the outcome is revealed - and then they will LOL! This is a joyous story for little ones who like dinosaurs and who can no doubt, tell you the names of those featured in it. But as well as being entertaining with its delightful twist, it also explores opposites like big and small, fast and slow, carnivore and herbivore that will add to the child's knowledge. There is also the need to look closely at the pictures to understand its ending, reinforcing the integration between text and picture in a subtle way.
Sheer delight that reinforces the value of a simple story told well, and, being in print, one that can be revisited time and again, even reading it for yourself.
Themes Dinosaurs.
Barbara Braxton
Eyes that speak to the stars by Joanna Ho. Illus. by Dung Ho
Eyes that speak to the stars is the companion volume to the acclaimed Eyes that kiss in the corners written by the New York Times best selling team Joanna Ho and Dung Ho. Joanna Ho, the author, resides in San Francisco and has Chinese/Taiwanese heritage. She is firmly committed to working towards anti-bias, anti-racism and equity in her writing. Dung Ho, the illustrator, is Vietnamese and lives in Ho Chi Minh city. Eyes that kiss in the cornersfollows the story of a young Asian girl as she learns through her family's support that she is beautiful and loved. Eyes that speak to the stars, follows a similar formula. A young Asian boy notices that his eyes look different to his peers in a friend's drawing. He learns that his eyes are like his father's and grandfather's and are part of a long, long heritage and that they can see the stars and glimpse trails of light from those who came before.
Eyes that speak to the stars is a delightful book that teaches about acceptance of difference, love for oneself and the loveliness of a supportive family. In the hands of a savvy teacher or parent, the book could be a springboard for discussion about how it feels to be different to the mainstream culture of where you are no matter what culture you represent. In addition the importance of family and heritage across all cultures should be the message.
Dung Ho's illustrations spead across double pages. They are detailed showing for example in the first interior Chinese porcelain lamps, dragons and charms. The faces are depicted full on and smiling with wide eyes and smiles. Dragons and kites swirl across the colourful pages. Joy and love spring from the simple words and colourful illustrations. Generations are shown through grandfather, father, son and baby brother and the vision goes all the way to the stars. Children will love this book especially when they can talk about their own fathers and grandfathers and be encouraged to think about that universal sense of self in relation to heritage and beyond.
Eyes that speak to the stars encourages children to celebrate their own culture and history even if it is not highlighted by the society in which they live.
Recommended as a library and classroom read aloud.
Themes Love of self, Family support, Heritage.
Wendy Jeffrey
The think-ups by Claire Alexander
Walker Books, 2022. ISBN: 9781406395051.
It's a rainy day, and Anna and Kiki are stuck indoors, wondering what to play next. Suddenly, Kiki has an idea for a new game. "All you have to do," she explains, "is think up a Think-Up and it will appear!" And she thinks up BUNNIES! Then they conjure up the most marvellous, magnificent MOOSE! And octopi! And nine HUNGRY koalas! - who discover the kitchen! Oh dear. Is it possible to UN-think a Think-Up?
This is a story that will appeal to both little ones and their parents because it offers a game they can play on the next rainy day. While they might not have such dramatic results, nevertheless, it would be fun imagining what might happen of your home was invaded by wandering wombats or a little can't-catch-me lion.
Half-cut pages that make for funny surprises at every turn build up anticipation and allow for predicting what might happen when the think-up comes true, enabling the child's imagination to roam free.
Different, engaging and offers a unique opportunity for the child to create an extra page or two. A case of dreaming with your eyes open...
Themes Imagination.
Barbara Braxton
Arabella's alphabet adventure by Suzy Zail. Illus. by Christopher Nielsen
On a library shelf in the section designated Especially for children, Arabella’s Alphabet Adventure is unhappy with her lot. Not for her the books around her that have a beginning, middle and end, not for her the stories to entrance children, nor any adult borrowers. Instead she must contend with only being borrowed by the youngest of borrowers, placing their jammy fingers on her pages, scribbling or even worse, tearing pages, while they read one letter at a time. Despite being the most borrowed book in the library, she is unhappy.
She decides to do something and one day while on the returns trolley, she slides herself into the book next to her, a travel guide book about Africa. Here she has the most amazing of adventures: watching lions, viewing crocodiles, sleeping under the twinkling night sky, crossing the river by raft. But not once is she read. What use is a book if no one reads the sentences. She comes to want the comfort of being held by a child, snuggled down in bed, sleeping with the toys and particularly back in the building where she is once again shelved in an area called Especially for children.
Everyone is pleased to see her back: the librarian unsure of where she has been, but pleased she is now in the right place.
Delightful mixed media illustrations show all the great things about books and take readers on an excursion through a library, showing them the shelves, return trolley, toys, sections within the library, especially the one just for younger readers, and seating arrangements. Books of all types take centre stage in Nielsen’s images, showing children the range of books they can expect to see in the library, and what is inside them, the alphabet book a firm favourite.
This wonderful book gives children an introduction to a library and the books held within; it shows what books are about, from alphabet to story books to travel guides. It helps younger readers understand some of the make up of a library, where things are held and why, who borrows and what happens when the books are returned. It shows how books are reshelved and it shows the fun that children can have at the library.
A wholly satisfying look at the library and why it is there, younger readers will thrill at recognising the way books work. And along the way have a marvellous adventure with Arabella, who comes to see that life on the other side of the library is not what she wants after all, that she is happiest just the way she is. Activities are available in Walker Books Story Time kit. A book trailer is also available.
Pan Macmillan, 2022. ISBN: 9781529038835. (Age:Adult, young adult)
A list of the nuns and novices who live in the Convent of Santa Maria Magdalena and a plan of the convent in Florence in 1537 set the scene for a deposition about a naked dead man with stab wounds and a lot of blood, found in the convent. The deposition is written by Cesare Aldo, officer of the Otto di Guardia e Balina and the story begins with him reporting to his boss before the incident is uncovered. It then shifts to young constable Carlo Strocci taking his new wife to meet his mother at their village downstream from Florence. Here he learns a body had washed up some time ago, a body he believes may be Cerci, a missing officer of the Otto. As the dual threads of Aldo and Strocci’s investigations unfold, the workings of the convent are detailed. There is unrest, with some arguing the order needs to be enclosed to allow undisturbed contemplation and prayer but the Abbess supports its current work in helping the poor and educating girls. One of the girls is Isabella, the daughter of Aldo’s half-sister and he helps her avoid an arranged marriage by hiding in the convent. The many threads of the story take time to establish and there is lots of detail about Florence at that time, its politics and power struggles, places and personalities, (I did note that all the bad guys were depicted as fat which was a bit unnecessary). However, by half way through the over 400 pages it lost momentum and became repetitive. The resolution of the convoluted reasons behind the dead body in the convent lost credibility with every twist and other threads petered out.This is the second in a series and I may have enjoyed it more or been more invested in the characters if I had read City of Vengeance. Readers who can suspend disbelief and enjoy the smattering of Italian words and historical Florence detail might enjoy this.
Themes Historical fiction, Murder, Florence.
Sue Speck
The every baby book by Frann Preston-Gannon
Magic Cat, 2022. ISBN: 9781913520373. (Age:0 - 2)
With a subtitle, Families of every name Share a love that’s just the same, anyone opening this board book will know that inside will reveal a range of families and babies of all types, styles and characteristics, each sharing the one thing that makes them all unique - love.
Blended families, single parent families, a family with two women parents, or two men parents, families with parents from different backgrounds - families all mean the same thing, a baby that is loved and cared for.
Each double page shows a a large image of a family on one side and then a group of smaller images showing things that families do. Each double page is about a particular time in a family’s day: waking up, play time, sleeping and so on, and each page shows what the family does together on the facing page. By the time children have read all the pages they will have seen a whole array of things families do, ending with a birthday party in the park where all the families come together.
Babies reading the book with their parent will have their love reinforced, parents will get to see a range of other families where love is the most important thing, children will revel in the fact that their family is shown, one amongst many, all sharing love. This common thread runs through the whole book, promoting inclusivity, and extolling the virtue of love being at the heart of every family.
The illustrations are very cute, with humorous situations shown clearly. One child upends his meal on the floor, another squirts dad while a nappy is being changed.
Themes Babyhood, Board book, Inclusivity, Humour.
Fran Knight
The secret lives of mermaids : Expert guides to mythical creatures by Prof. Anuk Tola. Illus. by Anja Susanj
Flying Eye Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781911171874.
At the School of Merology (SoM), Professor Anuk Tola (aka Anja Susanj has been studying the lives, habits and habitats of merpeople for many years in an attempt to be able to communicate with them and those studies have revealed that:
The word "mermaid" is a misnomer because there is more than just one gender, their societies are large and varied, and each is a unique individual. Merpeople are "a highly complex, curious, social, fierce, intelligent and incredibly secretive" species and what little is known has taken hundreds of years to glean. Because the ocean is changing so are the merpeople and they and the merologists (those who study merpeople) have to find new ways to work together.
In the meantime, she has gathered all that is currently known into this highly informative book, a companion to The Secret Lives of Dragons and The Secret Lives of Unicorns. Beginning with a section entitled 'What is a merperson?' the reader is introduced to the species, visits the various kingdoms in the world's oceans and learns about their beliefs, language and so forth. But perhaps the most important section is the final one which examines how and why the oceans are changing, how that is affecting them and what we, as humans, can do to protect both them and their environment.
Mermaids (and unicorns) continue to be a source of fascination for many, particularly young girls, and this is a really imaginative way to introduce them to the concept of ocean conservation as well as non fiction generally. To build a complete world in this way, albeit one based on a fantasy, is a clever way to make the reader stop and think about what might live between the waves and pause before they chuck their plastic bag in the water or let their balloons go into the sky. Somehow it gives a whole new slant on this year's CBCA Book week theme, 'Dreaming with eyes open...'
This is the paperback version of A-Z of Australian animals. Here is the original review:
Cossins is a Tasmanian author and artist with a passion for all things animal. Her previous titles, all published within the last few years, include 101 Collective Nouns and The Baby Animal Book. This title uses her signature illustrative style and is formatted and organised in the same way as her previous book A-Z of Endangered Animals. It includes a contents page listed by alphabet letter rather than page number (e.g., A-Azure Kingfisher) which is great for helping young children understand alphabet sequence. It contains many well-known native Aussie animals (koala, platypus, wombat, etc.) as well as many that children may not have heard of (imperial jezebel, variegated fairy-wren, etc.). There is a lovely two-page introduction (probably more suited to adult readers than children) that explains Australia's native fauna and her choices for inclusion. Each animal is given two pages (one with text and one illustration of the animal). The illustrations are shiny, realistic representations of each animal without much background except to give a basic indication of their habitat. The information on the opposite page includes scientific name, height or length, three paragraphs detailing the animal's unique features, behaviours and habitat and one interesting fact. The book as a whole is probably too long for children to take in during a single sitting but is definitely one they will like dipping in and out of or could be used as a reference book. It is not a comprehensive compendium of Australian animals, nor does it comprehensively cover the 26 animals it features. However, it is visually appealing (especially because it is minimal) and beautifully written with plain but not simplified English. It doesn't shy away from using big words or technical language (monogamous, incubate, etc.), nor does it feel the need to explain them all, and is all the richer for it. This also means it will resonate with a very wide audience, from the very young to adult. The illustrations (for those not familiar with Cossins' work) lie very flat on the page but use line and colour to create texture and intricate detail.
Themes Australian animals, Alphabet.
Nicole Nelson
Those kids from Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly
Text Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9781922458506. (Age:9+) Highly recommended.
Those kids from Fawn Creek is set in a fictitious small, rural town (Fawn Creek) in America. More specifically the story is set squarely in the lives of a seventh grade class of twelve students - in their school, their town and their home lives.
New York times best-seller writer and Newbery prize winner, Filipina-American Erin Entrada Kelly knows how to portray the friendships, the dramas, the concerns and the lives of young people of Middle School age. Her writing breathes realism in a contemporary Middle school environment. The classroom, lunch time and outside school activities of these young people mirror the small town social structure, values and attitudes of the parents and people of Fawn Creek. Kelly creates well-rounded characters; the reader views the unfolding social interaction within the year seven class from the perspective of four main characters.
In Fawn Creek, social structures are set in concrete. The young people have been in the same class for seven years: one character has been mercilessly bullied for ever, another character has always been a manipulative bully, controlling the friendship groups and setting the tone and behaviour code, another student is unhappy within his family as he is sensitive and different in a macho environment. These characters and their interactions are a familiar trope in middle school/young adult coming of age fiction but Kelly manages to keep them fresh so they speak to the concerns of contemporary Middle School readers. Many of the worries and problems of this age group are reflected in the characters that Kelly brings to like in Those kids from Fawn Creek. This is comforting for young readers as it is always good to be able to relate to characters and situations that are close to your own experience.
An extraordinary thing happens. A new girl arrives at school. So as not to spoil the story, the result of this unprecendated arrival cannot be revealed in this review. Did it have an effect? The whole story hangs around the arrival of Orchid Mason in this town. Will friendships shift? Will wrongs be righted? Who is Orchid Mason?
Those kids from Fawn Creek is a moving story. There is deception, there is raw honesty, there is growth, acceptance and rejection. There is learning. There is a powerful ending.
'Be nice. The world is a small town' is a quote from Austin Kleon and Erin Entrada Kelly chooses this quote to place in the front matter of her book along with a dedication 'To anyone with dreams bigger than their hometowns.' This is an interesting, wise, relatable and instructive book for young people who are navigating the Middle Years of schooling. It is easy to imagine that it could, like other Erin Estrada Kelly's books, be adapted to stage and/or Netflix. Teacher's notes are available.
Highly recommended.
Themes Middle school friendships, Self acceptance, Life lessons.
